“There has always been anecdotal evidence that people who live their live overseas struggle,” he explains. “But there wasn’t much research into the topic.”

The study revealed that US expats were 2.5 times more at risk of internalizing problems and developing substance abuse compared to their counterparts who stayed home – increasing their risk for anxiety and depression.

“There really is a need for mental health support in the international expat community,” says Truman.

Some expats lack the proper coverage for mental health care abroad. Some locations may simply lack access to mental health professionals. And even if you end up in a place where counselling is available, it’s usually only available in a different language or culture.

But regardless of how great or how rough your situation is abroad, there are other steps you can take to help prevent and cope with expat depression.

1. Get enough sleep

Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep per night – and staying well-rested can help give you the energy you need to keep the blues at bay. But the exact relationship between sleep and depression is complex – some people may develop depression after not getting enough sleep; others may have trouble sleeping – or sleep too much – after becoming depressed.

“It’s important to have stability and rhythm,” says Truman. “Safeguard your sleep. It can help you stay on track.”

2. Get out and exercise

With all the new demands and routines that come with life abroad, it’s easy to feel you’ve lost control of your own life. But carving out some “me time” for exercise can help.

“Being active can help you regulate your own experience in a new environment,” says Truman. And numerous studies show that regular exercise can help give a boost to people suffering from depression.

3. Keep alcohol intake in check

Living outside the community we know best can sometimes bring about a more relaxed attitude to alcohol or drug use.

“Being connected to a community helps bracket our behaviours. People know who you are,” Truman explains.

Losing that structure can make it easier to feel like we can break other norms and rules. Indeed, Truman’s study found that expats had a higher risk for substance abuse problems compared to US- based workers. Bottom line: think twice before opening that next bottle of wine.

4. Join groups to connect

When depression starts to set in, it becomes even harder to find the motivation to get out and engage with others.

Back home, we have existing social network that help us activate, but expats need to put in extra effort to create new ones. Join a sports club, find a new hobby, or if you have kids, get engaged in club for them – all of which can be mechanisms to help you connect with other people and help pull you out of the doldrums.

5. Don’t overdo it on social media

Social media has radically changed the way expats can relate to friends and family back home or networks from other phases of in life.

“It does provide a connection,” says Truman. “The problem is that it’s a connection with very low bandwidth based on an idealized version of our lives that fails to capture the reality.”

Thus, spending too much time scrolling through your Facebook means less time making real-life connections in your new country. While cutting social media out completely may be extreme, it’s good to exercise some moderation.

6. Let people know they can help you

While there may be less of a stigma associated with depression that there was 20 years ago, that doesn’t necessarily make it easier to talk about – especially for expats who don’t have access to their normal support networks or face other pressures.

“Often, an overseas assignment is a chance for rising star to prove themselves on the way to a C-suite. They have to exemplify stability and confidence.”

Regardless, Truman says it’s important to open up and invite people to help you. Many of them will.

7. Seek professional help

Therapists exist for a reason, and can be a huge help in aiding expats with the mental and emotional toll of living abroad. And expats who sign up for any level of Cigna Global International Health Insurance gain access to coverage for mental health treatment – and on the Platinum level, mental health care is paid in full. That means you have one less thing to have to worry about when struggling with depression - after all, no expat is an island, even if you might live on one.